Fabric blinds are good ideas for when you seek a mix of privacy and tasteful aesthetics. You can get them customised by colour or design as per the decor and add some personality to your home. However, one of the greatest criticisms of fabric blinds is that they are tough to clean and maintain. This conundrum about cleaning becomes more complicated while dealing with delicate fabric blinds or working on those containing a blend of other materials like wood, vinyl, plastic, metal, etc.
To alleviate this pain point, we go into great detail about how to clean fabric blinds. Follow this guide carefully and you can have clean fabric blinds with absolute ease.
Step 1: Collect Everything You Will Need
You will need some equipment to get started. To clean your fabric blinds, you will require:
- A vacuum cleaner with an extension hose and upholstery brush attachments
- Microfibre cloths
- A bath mug
- Lukewarm water
- Dishwashing liquid
- Baking soda
Collect all these items before you take on the ambitious task of cleaning the fabric blinds.
Step 2: Start With Dusting
First, draw the blinds until they are fully extended. Tilt the slats to expose the maximum fabric surface area so that you can get into all the nooks and crannies.
Once the fabric blinds are fully exposed, vacuum them with a hose followed by the upholstery brush. If you do not have a vacuum cleaner, you can also wipe these blinds using a microfibre cloth. Either way, the first step is to get rid of as much dust as possible. After cleaning one side of the blinds, flip them over and work on the other side.
Vacuum or wipe the blinds gently as applying too much pressure can damage them. Use long and sweeping top to bottom strokes and stabilise the blinds by holding them in place from the bottom. Alternatively, you can unstring the blinds and dust them on a flat surface.
Step 3: Prepare the Cleaning Solution
Transfer two cups of lukewarm water into the bath mug. Then squirt in some dishwashing liquid to make your cleaning solution. The amount of dishwashing liquid should not exceed a quarter of a teaspoon. Stir in the liquid soap to make the solution homogenous.
Step 4: Spot and Clean Stains
After you are done dusting the blinds, focus on inspecting them for any stains. These stains could be a result of splattered food, soiled hands, insect or bug droppings, etc. Make a mental map of these areas and start spot cleaning them one by one.
Dip the microfibre cloth into the cleaning solution and wring until damp. Place one hand behind the area that you plan on cleaning to flatten the surface and add support to it. Use the other hand to gently dab the stain. Rather than scrubbing the region vigorously, which can damage the blinds, use circular motions to get the stain out. You can even sprinkle some baking soda over the stained area to remove those tough stains. As a gentle abrasive, the baking soda will do an excellent job of removing the stains.
After some time, dip another microfibre cloth in regular water and wring out the excess. Use the damp cloth to rinse the spot-cleaned area to prevent discolouration.
Step 5: Offer Them Some TLC
What you have done so far is regular cleaning of your fabric blinds. However, if you wish to go the extra mile, you can mix some citrus or tea tree oil in water and spray the solution on the blinds to prevent the buildup of fungi, mould, or mildew. Let the essential oils soak for some time and then wipe them clean to avoid any damage to the blinds.
Step 6: Let the Blinds Air Dry
Let the fabric blinds stay fully extended and allow them to air dry at room temperature. Avoid using a heater or a hair dryer to expedite the process. At best, you can run the fan to improve air circulation.
BONUS: How to Deep Clean Fabric Blinds
If your fabric blinds are in dire need of cleaning, you can carefully detach them after vacuuming and wash them in a large basin or a bathtub using lukewarm, soapy water. Use a sponge to really get into the cracks and crevices where the dirt may have settled. Dab the blinds dry using a clean, dry towel and hang them to dry in a shaded location.
This was our guide on how to clean fabric blinds. We hope this article helped you out. Make it a practice to follow this routine regularly and your fabric blinds would be in great shape. Also, while you are at it, you can clean the window frame, window sill, etc., to make the entire space look pleasant.
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